Bernard Gabbott - Friday, 7 April 2023
The Goodness of Today
Scripture References: Luke 23:32- 56, Psalms 31:1-5, Isaiah 53:4-12
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CloseWhat are your expectations for Good Friday? What do you expect of the word ‘good’? On a day when the hope of so many is executed, on a day when we remember the death of a man regarded as ‘good’ above all, in a moment when we read of the abuse that Jesus suffered, it seems strange to think of the ‘good’ on such a day. But Luke’s account of the death of Jesus is very helpful in confronting us with two questions to help us understand the ‘good’ of Good Friday. First, is this stuff really true? Luke wrote to reassure his mate, Theo, that this stuff was true and reliable and worth trusting. In this Luke, carefully investigated these events – and there is no argument that Jesus was crucified like this. Second, Luke wants us to carefully consider where we stand in this event, and what we expect of it. Are we with the scoffers, led by the leaders who killed this man – and expected Him to stay dead? Or, are we with the criminal who defends Jesus, who expected his own death that day, did not expect Jesus to die like this, and who hoped that Jesus would hear his plea?
Scripture References: Luke 23:32- 56, Psalms 31:1-5, Isaiah 53:4-12
Related Topics: Easter | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
Jesus has finally made it to Jerusalem. As Matthew prepares us for His entry into Jerusalem, he helps us confront Jesus’ authority, and the way in which it restores the concern of God for the outsider, and confronts the insider. This is the start of the Passover week. Jerusalem is a roiling maelstrom of religious and political fervour. And Matthew organises the narrative of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem around displays of His authority, rooted in recognition of His ‘old power’ – four Old Testament quotations structure the passage. As we come face-to-face with Jesus’ authority, three truths stand out. First, Jesus’ authority is extensive and all-encompassing. Second, Jesus’ authority is for the outsider, and rooted in God’s deep commitment to bring the outsider inside His kingdom. And, third, Jesus authority confronts the insider, and urges them to repentance. Come and meet Jesus, the King, in all His authority, as He enters Jerusalem!
What is greatness? In particular, what is greatness in the kingdom of God? That is the question addressed in the passage from Matthew today. Jesus is approached by two different groups. First, the family of Zebedee: James and John and their mother. Second, two blind men. Jesus asks both groups the same question “What do you want me to do for you?” What they request is quite revealing. And so is Jesus’ response to their requests. The Zebedees request position, status, reward for effort. The blind men request mercy, for their eyes to be open. Which request lines up with Jesus’ teaching previously? Which request do we tend to go to ourselves?
The Department of Home Affairs has an Australian Values Statement on its website. Visa applicants for residency/citizenship must sign this. And one of its key principles is that we are a ‘fair-go’ country. We would all agree with that. I suspect, too, that we would summarise our ‘fair go’ culture by stating that ‘you get what you deserve/what you work for’. In fact, many of us have established our relational, social and work ethics on this very principle. But is that what the ‘kingdom of heaven is like’? What is its value statement? What is the hallmark of such a kingdom, and its ruler, even its citizenship? Today, after Jesus has assured his disciples that the dependent will be provided for by their king, he now uses the same ideas to issue with them a warning not to abuse, misuse, ignore or become entitled in the face of the kingdom of heaven hallmark—which is grace.
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